Posted: December 9, 2018

Information

• Now that student photos have been taken, retaken and delivered, we’d like your feedback on how you feel things went, and how you like the photos of your child. Please take a couple of minutes to rate the quality of service and photographs we received from Lifetouch.
• Hold the date! Our Christmas Concert is scheduled for Tuesday, December 18. There will be the traditional afternoon (1:00) and evening (6:30) shows. We are not using tickets for these shows, as has been the case for the past few years. To avoid crowding, please consider attending the afternoon performance if you are able. It is traditionally less crowded. Also, if you choose to walk (encouraged) and have children in strollers, please park your strollers down the hallways towards classrooms, as they create a hazardous situation if parked in the gym. Also, please consider bringing a non-perishable food donation to the concert. Concert donations will be delivered to the Langley Food Bank on Thursday 20th December. Finally, we will be setting up the staging and lights on Tuesday, December 11 after school. As always, I would be most appreciative if some parents were able to help with the heavy-ish lifting and ladder climbing. If you are able to help, please sign up here.
• Information About School Status During Inclement WeatherSnow closures and power outages are an annual occurrence in Langley School District.  So where do you go to get information about the status of schools during periods of inclement weather?  If you are able to access the internet via computer or smartphone, current information about Langley schools can be accessed on all school websites or www.sd35.bc.ca.  Updates are also posted to Twitter @LangleySchools and Facebook at www.facebook.com/langleyschooldistrict.  If you don’t have internet connectivity but your phone is working, call a relative or friend in an area that has not been affected by the storm and ask them to check the district website for you.  Local radio stations are also informed of school status in Langley.  Tune in to CKWX 1130AM, CKNW 980AM, Country Radio 107.1FM, Pulse 107.7 or CBC 690AM or 88.1FM for updates.Please note that Langley District schools are all considered ‘open’ until a decision to close is required.  Decisions on school closures are usually made by 6:30am.  As always, it is a parent’s decision whether to send their child to school based on safety and individual circumstances.  If you feel it is unsafe for you or your child to travel to or attend an open school for any reason, please keep your child home and report an absence to the school.
• My Tween and Me is a program for parents and kids aged 7-12. It is designed to help strengthen their relationship as they move into the preteen years, and will help ‘open the lines of communication to discuss current issues like drugs, alcohol and social media.’ The program will take place at Yorkson Creek Middle School, and will run Wednesdays from January 16 to March 6, from 6-8 pm, with kids attending every second session. Cost is $50 for 1 parent and 1 child, and space is limited. Click the flyer for a full-sized image. The registration link is here.
• WLE is supporting a family again this year, through the Christmas Bureau. Ms. Swerdan sent home details on paper last week. We will also be making a donation to the Langley Food Bank. Non-perishable donations can be added to the tables just inside the front doors. Thank you for all your support of our community initiatives.
• Christmas Glow epitomizes Yuletide in all its glory. Experience the warmth, brilliance, nostalgia and unprecedented mirth of the season. Running from November 22 all the way to January 19 at Milner Village Garden Centre, CHRISTMAS GLOW is the largest indoor Christmas Festival in Greater Vancouver. The lights glimmer and dance; the Christmas Market transports you back to childhood no matter what your age; and the food and drink available everywhere, lift your spirits and make the evening even greater as you plunk your kids onto the amazing Christmas Train. Everybody walks away with huge smiles and a myriad of memories.  And that’s not all! The Langley Fine Arts Senior Choir will be performing on Thursday, December 13 from 5:3O on. Don’t miss this incredible performance. Finally, Check out the 3O% discount for school district families. Proceeds go to support food programs for Langley students. Click the poster for full size.

PAC Happenings

Quote of the Week

Interesting Reading & Viewing

• How to raise a kid who cares. A TED article about developing empathy in children. I found the part about letting kids experience negative emotions as an empathy-building tool particularly interesting.
• If homework is a battle (not that we assign a ton of it here, but still…), here is some advice on getting it done if your kids are reluctant.
• Watch this…

Calendar of Events

Monday December

• Welcome, Mr. Cotten!
• Girls’ vs. Boys’ teams – volleyball game at lunch.

Tuesday December 11

• Gym Lighting & Stage Setup party after school. If you can volunteer to help, please sign up here.

Wednesday December 12

Thursday December 13

Friday December 14

• Term 1 Report Cards issued

Monday December 17

Tuesday December 18

• Christmas Concert – 1:00 – doors open @12:30
• Christmas Concert – 6:30 – doors open @6:00

Wednesday December 19

• Hot Lunch – Opa! Greek

Thursday December 20

Friday December 21

• Grinch Madness Day
• Last Day of School

Beyond

• January 7 – First Day of School